as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used
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Recent Examples of flaming out
Swinging a big trade can be the difference in a team winning a championship or flaming out early in the playoffs.
—
Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Jack Harper, back working in his hometown after flaming out elsewhere, living as the responsible adult with an adorable little niece and her depressed, alcoholic mother, Zoe (Marin Ireland).
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
After the first two films, the series switched hands to seasoned parody veterans David Zucker and Pat Proft before flaming out with the fifth entry in 2013.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The left side of their line is a huge question mark between tackle and guard, where Kingsley Suamataia might settle after flaming out at tackle.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Jack Harper, back working in his hometown after flaming out elsewhere, living as the responsible adult with an adorable little niece and her depressed, alcoholic mother, Zoe (Marin Ireland).
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
After the first two films, the series switched hands to seasoned parody veterans David Zucker and Pat Proft before flaming out with the fifth entry in 2013.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The left side of their line is a huge question mark between tackle and guard, where Kingsley Suamataia might settle after flaming out at tackle.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaming out
Verb
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The pipe was being used as a retaining structure to keep the surrounding soil from collapsing during the operation, officials said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The global leader in oilfield services trading as if energy demand were collapsing, despite one of the most volatile oil supply environments in decades.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Funds approved for retaining wall work Little Rock officials are moving ahead with a project to remove and replace a failing stone retaining wall on the north side of City Hall.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Ducks improved to 8-0 in shootouts this season despite going just two for six against Montreal, with even Mason McTavish failing to score for the first time in six tries this season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Boyd then hit Randy Arozarena on the arm with a pitch before striking out Jonathan Aranda.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The standout newcomer had a stellar week, hitting a grand slam against Saugus, striking out 12 batters in an 11-0 win over Granada Hills, and hitting two homers in a 2-1 victory over Mater Dei.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Both teams … the Heat and the Wizards … conspired with their flopping and intentional fouling to get him to 83.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Shawkat, with her warm, amused eyes and her mop of curls, is a perfect carrier for Mae’s air of abjection, flopping around her bed like a horny, gloomy Raggedy Ann.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead of struggling to get your cane from the overhead bin or waiting for a flight attendant to get it from a plane closet for you, consider this folding cane that can fit under the seat in front of you.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Grandparents sat in folding chairs.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Cecil County Sheriff's Office is searching for the person responsible for speeding by a school bus on the right-hand side, narrowly missing two children who were getting on.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The youthful sounds of laughter and enthusiastic conversation were missing.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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That's it—no waiting and washing out required.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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No workers for mundane tasks Diez revealed that manufacturers worldwide are struggling to find laborers for highly repetitive physical tasks.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Dogs generally aren’t allowed on cruises, but after struggling to find a flight that would allow pets in the cabin, Morris decided to bring Monty across the pond in the storied ocean liner’s kennels – one of the only ways cruise travelers' furry friends can sail the high seas.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaming out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaming%20out. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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